Sister act: Aultmans and Nicholsons are helping lead Veterans basketball team

Janna and Jalla Aultman have more in common than their last name. The sisters both play for the Veterans girls basketball team, and they are not the only sisters on the roster.

The Warhawks have two sets of sisters on the team this year. Anna Nicholson is a senior with her sister, Audrey, a sophomore. Janna and Jalla are twins and both seniors.

Anna and Audrey are both heavily involved in other sports and extracurricular activities. Audrey plays soccer and volleyball and will run track and field in the spring. Both girls are involved in Beta Club, Partners Club and many other clubs.

Basketball is the focus for Janna and Jalla. They have been playing since the first grade.

"They actually complement each other real well," head coach Nicki Miranda said. "Janna is left-handed, and she is more offensive-minded. Jalla is right-handed; she's more defensive minded."

There is a very unique dynamic when the Aultman and Nicholson sisters get on the court.

"When we play together, it's like we don't even have to talk," Janna said.

Anna explained, "She knows when I'm gonna cut, and she sees me up the floor when no one else does."

Jalla shared a story about a time in North Carolina when she and Janna "played like we were NBA stars, like Kobe Bryant and Lebron James." Janna scored 23 points, and Jalla scored 16.

"We were super tight at that game," Jalla said.

Both sisters come from military families and have moved around a bit. Anna and Audrey transferred to Veterans two years ago from Ohio.

"It was a big culture shock," Anna said, "I've never lived below the Mason-Dixon line. I've lived in multiple places, but nothing like the South."

Anna and Audrey joined the basketball and volleyball teams during the summer and made friends before school started.

"That's a big deal when you're a new kid, looking for people to sit with at lunch and knowing people in your classes," Anna said. "So sports are a really big deal for me, as a military kid."

Having a sister during the transition made all the difference for Audrey. Anna helped her make connections the first few months and played an important role as someone Audrey could trust.

"Being in the military, it's been really important for me to have her," Audrey said.

Janna and Jalla moved from North Carolina in January.

"That transition, it was a little shaky at first," Janna said.

The girls explained that it was difficult transferring schools and basketball teams in the middle of the semester. But it is a lot easier now that they are part of the Warhawks' team.

Janna talked about making it to the GHSA Class AAAA semifinals pretty soon after she and Jalla moved to the area.

"That was probably the most fun and exciting experience because I've never made it that far in the playoffs," Janna said.

Anna is planning to play next at the University of Chicago, while the Aultmans also both plan to play in college. After years playing together, this next transition they will face will be like nothing they have gone through.

"We've always been together our whole lives," Janna said.

"It's a lot of fun playing with your sister, get as much in as you can before, you know, college," Jalla said.

Audrey is excited that her sister will be doing what she loves, but she is still sad that Anna will be leaving. Audrey added that it puts pressure on her as part of the underclassmen group that will step up to fill the seniors' shoes.

"I'm glad I got the chance to before I left. She's made me a better player, I make her a better player. And I wouldn't trade it for anything." Anna said.

This story was originally published December 14, 2015 at 5:31 PM.